Pole vault training exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus for pole vault training including a rope, a cross bar and an elastomer of selected properties intervening between said cross bar and said rope and effective when utilized to simulate the athletic maneuvers of pole vaulting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/533,849 filed on Mar. 23, 2000, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of art to which the invention relates comprisesexercise apparatus for training persons in the sport of pole vaulting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The pole vault is an age-old world-wide athletic event in whichthe contestant leaps for height, vaulting over a bar with the aid of along pole. The event relies heavily on developed skills of theparticipant that includes running with the pole, planting the pole in avault box, flexing the pole backwards and then relying on the flexrecovery of the pole in conjunction with forward motion of theparticipant to propel the participant over the bar. The bar is typicallyset at increasing heights above ground level to determine maximum barheight at which the participant can clear the bar. To successfullyparticipate requires an immense amount of training and effort not tomention skill and dexterity that must be contributed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0004] Before training on-site in an actual pole vault setting, it hasbeen common to use various suspended type exercise structures from whicha user can develop muscle tone and technique. Exemplifying suchstructures are the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,246,893 and5,662,555. In a book entitled “Mechanics of the Pole Vault”, 1980Olympic 9^(th) Edition by Dr. R. V. Ganslen, there is described the useof swinging or vaulting ropes as being beneficial for training. Alsomentioned is the use of a latex rubber pole vault trainer developed byBill Perrin of Madison, Wis. Trampolines have also been found useful fordeveloping muscular conditioning of the back and legs. Such exerciseequipment is certainly helpful but is otherwise somewhat deficient insimulating the maneuvers associated with the actual event of polevaulting.

[0005] Yet despite recognition of the foregoing, it has not previouslybeen known to provide an exercise training apparatus that more nearlysimulates various movements and techniques necessary for developing anadequate level of skill in preparation for the event of pole vaulting.An exercise apparatus is needed that achieves a more realisticsimulation of the effects experienced, especially from the polevaulter's initial stance through the point where the pole vaulter leavesthe ground. As always, an exercise apparatus that is basically simple tooperate and relatively inexpensive to purchase would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An apparatus achieving the desired features and advantagescomprises a swing that includes a crossbar adapted to be positionedoverhead of the user and secured at opposite ends via spaced nylonstraps centrally supported to the under end of an elongated length of aselected elastomer. The elastomer is preferably made from an elasticrubber capable of stretching at least two feet from its unstressedlength during use and having a load factor of about 800 lbs. forhandling the expected dynamic loads. A rope attaches at one end to theupper end of the elastomer and at the other end to a suitable overheadconnection at the site of use so that the crossbar rests in a positionabove the user's head. The rope preferably has a 4,000 lb. test strengthand is of sufficient length to permit the user to run several stepsbefore the apparatus lifts the user off the ground.

[0007] The crossbar and elastomer elements of the apparatus are similarto those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,118 issued to Conner. However,the Conner device is designed for exercising abdominal muscles andtherefore uses a short adjustable strap instead of the presentinvention's rope, which would be both unnecessary and undesirable theConner device's intended purpose. Also, the elastomer is designed formuch less demanding service, since the device is not expected to liftthe user off the ground during the act of running.

[0008] A particular advantage of the present invention is that itaffords the user convenient training of the last few steps prior totakeoff, during which the elastomer stretches and retracts to simulatethe elastic behavior of the pole. The apparatus enables the user todrive the knee leaving the trail leg straight to enable bending of thepole (fiberglass) while the swing of the trail leg enables the user'sbody to invert upside-down. As the user leaves the ground, the elastomerextends and retracts during the rope's arcuate movement so that the useris lifted and catapulting upward and inverted so as to simulate a polethat would normally be utilized for that step. The displacement of thecrossbar is designed to allow the user to practice the sequence of stepsnormally performed during pole vaulting up to and including the step ofinverting the user's body when approaching the bar. The apparatus thenbegins its return swing, and the drill can be repeated in the oppositedirection from the running stage. The apparatus thus avoids andeliminates previous drills such as chin-ups, pole pulleys, pit jumping,etc.

[0009] The above noted features and advantages of the invention as wellas other features and advantages will be further appreciated by thoseskilled in the art upon reading the detailed description which followsin conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIGS. 1(a)-(g) illustrate caricatures performing the varioussteps of pole vaulting;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the exercise training apparatus inaccordance with the invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a person using the exercise apparatus of FIG.2, and

[0013] FIGS. 4(a)-(g), illustrate caricatures utilizing the trainingapparatus of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] In the description which follows, like parts are markedthroughout the specification and drawings with the same referencenumerals respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scaleand in certain views, proportions may have been exaggerated for purposesof clarity.

[0015] Referring now to the caricature representations in FIG. 1 thereis shown in FIG. 1(a) a person 10 carrying a pole 12, with eyes on thebox (not shown) and posture-erect. In FIG. 1(b), at the point when theperson is planting the distal end of the pole in the box, the person isstanding tall and straight with a bent and locked left arm, the rightknee coming through fast and the right arm erect and straight. In FIG.1(c), the pole has been planted and the lower torso and legs of theperson's body swing forward while the right arm now extends behind thebody. In FIG. 1(d) the person is in a early rock back stage with kneescoming in, eyes on the feet without pull with the left arm collapsing.FIG. 1(e) illustrates a later point during rock back, with knees backand up, eyes on the feet or pole tip and the right arm still stretchedand the left arm collapsing. In addition, the body is partially pivotedas the person twists in an effort to achieve an inverted position. InFIG. 1(f) represents the extension position with the pole substantiallystraight and vertical and the person's body in an inverted position, inpreparation for clearing the bar 14 in FIG. 1(g). FIG. 1(g), illustratesthe sequence in which person 10 is catapulted over the bar 14.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the training exercise apparatus20 includes a cross bar 22 formed of aluminum tubing about thirty-fiveinches (eighty-nine cm) in length and about two inches (five cm) indiameter. The cross bar is secured to support straps 34 and 36 via apair of spaced eye bolts 24 and 26 that are either threaded or extendedthrough apertures defined in the cross bar 22 and secured in place vianuts 28. The eye bolts 24 and 26 in turn attach to the support straps 34and 36 by means of a pair of quick links 30 and 32. Each of the strapsare about three foot in length and one and one half inches wide andformed of a strong composition such as nylon affording about a 4,000 lb.load capacity. The upper end of the straps are looped to commonlyreceive a ⅜ inch ring 38. The ring is mounted on a ⅝ inch shackle 40which receives the lower end of a looped elastomer 42. The elastomer ischaracterized as having 800 lb. load capacity, a two foot stretch duringuse and when unstretched is about three feet (91 cm) long and 1¼ inch(3.2 cm) wide. An exterior sheath surrounds the elastomer so as tominimize wear from shackle screw 44. Another shackle 46 closed off byscrew 48 is located at the upper end of the elastomer. A safety strap 52of nylon composition has an effective length exceeding the maximumstretch length of elastomer 42 is attached between the shackles 40 and46. A rope 50 connects to the shackle 46 and has a top end (not shown)that can be connected to any suitable overhead structure at which theapparatus hereof is to be utilized. The length of the rope 50 should besufficient so that the arcuate movement of the rope about the upperconnection allows a user to take several running steps while holding thecross bar 20 before the apparatus will lift the user from the ground.Also, the apparatus 20 should be mounted so that the crossbar 22 is at aheight above the user's head, roughly at the height at which the pole isheld at the beginning of the pole vaulting sequence.

[0017] A person 10 utilizing the training exercise apparatus 20 normallyhas his arms extending upward with hands gripping the cross bar 22 so asto simulate the maneuver of FIG. 1(b). The correct handgrip should beapproximately shoulder width wide.

[0018] While the user is running, the elastomer rubber 42 stretches,enabling the person to drive the knee while leaving the trail legstraight to simulate the resistance felt in bending the pole. On leavingthe ground, the elastomer 42 will contract back toward the unstretchedlength, so that the rubber further assists in lifting the person 10 tosimulate the pole lifting action of FIG. 1(c) until catapulting the bodyupwards in the manner of FIG. 1(d). As the swing begins its return, thedrill is repeated in the opposite direction in a running stage.

[0019] The correlation between the use of apparatus 20 and the maneuversto be performed during pole vaulting can be best understood withreference to FIG. 4.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4(a), person 10 has his arms straight up andrunning tall as in FIG. 1(a). In FIG. 4(b) person 10 practices thetakeoff of FIG. 1(b) while in FIG. 4(c) there is performed the drivewith the knee and trail leg straight causing an initial stretching ofelastomer 42, similar to the action in FIG. 1(c). In FIG. 4(d) elastomer42 is stretched to the maximum and begins to retract, beginning lift ofthe body. In FIG. 4(e) the lift begins to invert the body while in FIG.4(f) the body is inverted and begins to crossover the drive knee.

[0021] In the above manner, the apparatus affords virtues not previouslyprovided in that the rubber elastomer 42 not only participates in theswing effect but also serves to assist in lifting the person andcatapulting the person upwards into an inverted relation as best seen inFIGS. 1(e) and 1(f). In addition, the apparatus permits a user topractice the running steps immediately preceding the planting of thepole in the box, thereby better preparing the user for the transitionbetween ground travel and the initial lift by the pole. At the sametime, the apparatus is relatively simple, economical to construct andserves a long-standing need offering simulated training for the polevaulter in a manner unlike apparatus previously available. The virtuesthereof can be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Whilecertain dimensions and capacities have been stated, they obviously couldbe changed to more readily accommodate persons of different age groups,gender, or physical strength. Stiffness and stretch length of theelastomer 42, the diameter of cross bar 22, as well as the amount ofpole flex, can be similarly selected and correlated to individualrequirements.

[0022] Since many changes could be made in the above construction andmany apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could bemade without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that allmatter contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:
 1. An exercise apparatus for simulating the sequential steps ofthe sport of pole vaulting comprising: a) a cross bar; b) elastomermeans connected to the crossbar for simulating the elastic behavior of avaulting pole; and c) a dependent rope attached to the elastomer means,and adapted to be secured for arcuate displacement about a suitablesupport at a site at which said apparatus is to be utilized, and havinga length chosen so that a user can take several running steps,simultaneously stretching the elastomer means, prior to the user beinglifted off the ground by the apparatus.
 2. An exercise apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 in which the mount of said cross bar is definedby a triangular formation including said cross bar and a pair of supportstraps secured at a lower end spaced apart to said cross bar andcommonly connected at their upper ends at the under end of saidelastomer.
 3. An exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in whichsaid elastomer means is formed of an endless elongated loop extendingbetween the upper end of s aid straps and the lower end of said rope. 4.An exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including connectinghardware for securing said cross bar, said straps, said elastomer andsaid rope to each other.
 5. An exercise apparatus in accordance withclaim 3 in which said elastomer is characterized as having about a twofoot stretch and a dynamic load carrying capacity of near 800 pounds. 6.An exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said pair ofstraps are characterized as having a dynamic load carrying capacity ofnear 4,000 lbs.
 7. An exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1which said elastomer extends in the course of said apparatus beingutilized by a person running with a hand grip on said cross bar and saidelastomer when extended serves to lift said person for simulatingcatapulting the person upward and inverted.